10,000 baby turtles get first taste of the sea

10,000 baby turtles return to the sea

Location: Bali, Indonesia

The group of Olive Ridley turtles

were hatched at a conservation center

from eggs found on beaches

(SOUNDBITE) (English) VOLUNTEER FROM UNITED STATES, JESSICA LIEBERMAN, SAYING:

"I'm so excited, it's really exciting to see all of these turtles being released into the wild. We really hope a lot of them survive."

Sea turtles are endangered

Source: WWF

and their population is declining due to hunting

being caught in fishing gear

and loss of nesting sites

(SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Indonesia) HEAD OF BALI NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION CENTER, AGUS BUDI SANTOSO, SAYING:

"Our recommendation is having a few designated beaches for the wildlife, especially sea turtles. No construction is allowed in the conservation area, or 'green zone', otherwise the turtles will not nest in the area. For example they will not lay eggs in an area near hotels. Ideally, we should free up an area ranging from at least 500-meters (1,640 ft) to one kilometer (0.6 miles) across the beach for the turtles to lay eggs."